If you’ve the time or inclination today and Monday, you can actually witness democracy in action.

Come to the Isle of Wight County Circuit Courthouse at 10 a.m. July 5, and 2 p.m. July 8. There and then you’ll meet people who are petitioning for the removal of two elected officials: Newport District Supervisor Byron “Buzz” Bailey and Hardy District School Board’s Herb DeGroft.

Likely you have read here that the two men had been privately circulating emails that contained humor of a questionable nature. These were made public and ever since many people have been calling for resignations.

We’ll neither condemn nor defend the self-admitted actions of Bailey and DeGroft. However, we do want to acknowledge, even applaud, the petitioners’ organization and sincerity.

Whether or not anyone agrees with their actions and motives, the people are going about the corrective action the proper way. They’ve been meeting peacefully and following the established rules for gathering signatures from like-minded petitioners.

Joe Puglisi, one of the organizers, put it best last week when he told The Tidewater News, “We’re just very grateful to live in a country and state that allows such a thing.”

Well said, sir.

Our hope is that whatever the judge or judges decide in the hearings, everyone will accept the decisions with good grace.